UnknownNot Applicable

Spatial Orientation and Motor Skills: How to Flip Switches "Down" in Weightlessness?

France18 participantsStarted 2015-09

Plain-language summary

The purpose of the study is to investigate spatial orientation in weightlessness as it manifests not in perception but rather in motor performance by direction and reaction time of flip switch. Hypotheses are that flip switch: 1. will be biased towards visual allocentric cues when those are available; 2. will be biased towards the egocentric reference when tactile cues are added; 3. will be dominated by egocentric cues when visual cues are not available; 4. will be delayed and more variable when confirmatory gravitational cues are absent; 5. will be faster and more reliable in absence of conflicting gravitational cues, and even more so when tactile cues are added; 6. The difference will be more pronounce when tested under Dual-task condition

Who can participate

Age range

20 Years – 65 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Healthy volunteers (men or women) * Aged from 20 to 65 * Affiliated to a Social Security system and, for non-French resident, holding a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) * Who accepted to take part in the study * Who have given their written stated consent * Who has passed a medical examination similar to a standard aviation medical examination for private pilot aptitude (JAR FCL3 Class 2 medical examination). There will be no additional test performed for subject selection. Subjects will be staff member of the team or of other teams participating in the parabolic flight campaign Exclusion Criteria: * Person who took part in a previous biomedical research protocol, of which exclusion period is not terminated * Person who has already participated in a parabolic flight * Pregnant women

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

reaction time of flip switch measured with a chronometer

Timeframe: baseline

Direction of flip switch measured with the circular instrument panel

Timeframe: baseline

Trial details

NCT IDNCT02850380

SponsorUniversity Hospital, Caen

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2018-09

Contact for this trial

Pierre DP Denise, PhD

02.31.06.81.32 pierre.denise@unicaen.fr

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